Larissa Meek: Good Design is FocusedJuly 29, 2008, Categories: Web design, CSS |
So, Larissa, how often do Miss USA finalists turn to web design practice? ? What impact does your former career as a model and actress have on what you're doing now?
I'd say most Miss USA finalists don't know about code or interactive design but I did have my own Miss USA question blooper. Thank God YouTube wasn't around back then. I have had a pretty odd journey into the interactive industry and my past work as a model / actress influenced me to turn to the web as a way to self promote. Thus, a hobby became a career.
Today, I don't experience any challenges from my former career on professional level. My knowledge from the modeling and acting industry has taught me a lot about business and public speaking.
However, on the blog side of things, I occasionally get some unsettling emails, such as hate notes and creepy love letters. But it's all a part of the territory when you put yourself out on the web.
What are your responsibilities as a senior art director at AgencyNet.com?
As Senior Art Director I was responsible for working with the team's project manager to ideate, design, build and direct our standards based (XHTML/CSS) projects. It involved a lot of hands on work and problem solving. I was recently promoted to Associate Creative Director so my role is now shifting into more strategy and management.
You're a known specialist in design trends. How do they occur and how can one learn to predict them?
Design trends occur when a group of people think alike. Some of it comes from inspiration from a few particular trend setting sites and some of the trends come from a reaction against over-used clichés. Predicting them comes from looking around us and at patterns in general.
For example retro design has a huge appeal, due to the unsettling economic and political landscape. I expect that the retro trends will continue by drawing on nostalgia of the past when times seemed simpler and more peaceful.
How important it is to follow the web design trends? Can one choose not to adopt them and still be riding high?
Good design is focused. It's not about using every cool trend you can think of. It is about planning a design strategy and sticking to it. I think in some way, most “good” design has some kind of trend so I don't think there is a way to avoid not adopting to them in some way. We all see things and subconsciously (or consciously) file them in our creative brains and eventually those ideas spill out into our work one way or the other. However, when you fight cliché trends you may very well discover a new one that other people may adopt.
What does the nearest future hold for us with regards to web design?
Web design in general is becoming more and more application centric. It's about satisfying a user need and allowing users to have fun at the same time. It's also about being smart and not trying to throw everything in with the kitchen sink.
Mobile design, which has its own set of rules, is also taking off. Many people in the world access the internet through their phones and not through the traditional internet.
Do you find it particularly engaging being a successful female in a male dominated industry? Would you like to see more women joining the web design industry? Why/why not?
I find the work engaging more than anything and it happens to be a male dominated field. I definitely think things will continue to even out in time.
You're often invited to speak at web design events. What has been the most exciting speaking experience so far? How do you usually get ready for your presentation/workshop?
FOWD in London was a blast. It was my first time to visit London and I really enjoyed the event and meeting the other speakers. Not to mention London has a great community of bloggers, designers and people who are passionate about knowledge share.
It is actually quite a bit of work to prepare for a conference. The amount of perpetration depends weather it is more of a panel discussion or a solo presentation.
Your next-to-learn thing on the check-list.
Wow… There are sooooo many things to learn. I just try to stay on top of the trends and am placing a focus on strategy and ideation. Agencynet has a huge pool of knowledge so I'm always learning about the latest and greatest things from my peers.
Your a-wish-come-true moment.
Working at AgencyNet :)
What advice would you give to beginning web designers?
Be curious and ask a lot of questions. At the beginning of your career you will more than likely have to be a generalist and learn a little about a lot of different things. As you grow in experience you will find your specialty come to the surface.
Helen Walker
Larissa Meek is a multitalented and diverse person. She is an artist, web designer, model and actress. Once shy and timid, she leaned on art for confidence. Now, at the age of 28 she is a former Miss USA Finalist, bikini.com supermodel, an actress and reality TV star, but in the first place she is an artist and a lead web designer at AgencyNet.com, an award-winning interactive firm with a 12-year track record. Larissa is fluent in CSS, XHTML, web standards and usability. She is a welcomed conference speaker and a well-known blogger writing about all the above mentioned on her personal site at LarissaMeek.com.
